Viber is a popular free Voice-over IP messaging service and Skype alternative, that can be used on your smartphone or PC. The Viber PC client takes the convenience of the mobile app and brings it to your PC so you can stay connected even when you don’t have your mobile phone. It also makes it easier to get on with work and multitask while communicating with your contacts.

Viber competes with Whatsapp for the title of the most popular cross platform/cross device messaging service globally. A key difference between Viber/Whatsapp and Skype is that you can communicate with all of your mobile phone contacts that are also using the service – not just your skype contacts. Voice call, chat, send SMS, pictures and videos for free to any of your phone contacts who also have the app installed. You can even video call with up to 100 of your contacts at the same time! A simple UI tops off the package nicely. The likes of Viber and Whatsapp have pretty much killed the traditional mobile SMS industry, thanks to their ease of use and ever improving data coverage.

To use Viber on your Windows PC you will first need install Viber on your mobile phone (Android, iPhone, Blackberry, Symbian and Windows Phone apps available). Next install the Windows desktop client on your PC and sign in to syncrhonize your contacts across the 2 devices. Then you’re done, call and chat to your heart’s content at no cost.

If you want to call other none VoIP users (landlines and mobile phones directly) you can using the Viber Out feature. These calls are not free, but do come at very competitive rates. You can use Viber Out by adding credit to your Viber account. Call quality is generally excellent, unless you are in an area with a poor internet connection.